Fastener



' March 5, 1940- H. G. LOMBARD FASTENER Original Filed Dec. 8, 1936INVENTDH Patented Mar. 5, 1940 m" OFFICE FASTENER Herman G. Lombard, W

ashington, D. 0., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Tinnerman Products,Inc., Ohio Original application Dec Cleveland,

Ohio, a corporation of ember 8, 1936, Serial No.

114,825, now Patent No..2,077,120, dated April 13, 1937. Divided andthis 2, 1937, Serial No. 134

1 Claim.

This invention deals with the art of securing finishing objects such asmoldings, trim strips, and the like, to supporting surfaces.

This application is a division of a prior copending application entitledFastening means, Serial No. 114,825, filed December 8, 1936, sinceissued as Patent #2,077,120, April 13, 1937.

More particularly, this invention relates to a method and means forsecuring finishing objects, and the like, in the combination ofindividual fastening elements cooperating with a finishing object anddesigned for engagement in an apertured supporting surface for mountingthe finishing object thereon.

Heretofore, individual fastening devices have been employed somewhatsatisfactorily in securing finishing objects to supporting surfaces inapplications and installations not subject to any great degree ofmovement or vibration. However, where any degree of strain, jarring orvibration takes place, fasteners now available to the trade have beenunsatisfactory in that they tend to loosen from their fastening positionand often become completely removed due to the fact that the sections orelements comprising the shanks thereof are not possessed of sufiicientinherent holding power in applied fastening position. It has also beenfound that the connections of the fastening devices to a finishingobject are often loose and inefficient, especially when advanced tofastening position in apertures provided in a supporting surface,whereupon the fastening devices often become disconnected from thefinishing object, resulting in a faulty, loose mounting of the finishingobject on the supporting surface.

. This invention therefore contemplates the provision of various formsof fastening means and securing devices designed for use in mounting afinishing object such as a molding, trim strip, or the like, and inwhich the leg sections or shank elements of the devices are relativelyyieldable and so disposed with respect to each other as to permit quick,easy insertion thereof into apertures in a supporting surface, yet, whenin applied position have such a degree of stiffness, rigidity andtension stored therein through contact and compression against thesidewalls of the aperture that possibility of accidental loosening ofthe mounting of a finishing object is eliminated.

A further object of the invention aims to provide a mounting for afinishing object by the use of individual fastening devices the shankelements of which are. provided with integral,

application April 1 .661

projecting or lug means such as pronounced shoulders or teeth designedto positively engage in apertures in a supporting surface to rigidly andpositively retain the devices and the finish-.-

ing object mounted thereby in desired position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rigid mounting for afinishing object in combination with individual securing devices havinghead sections suitably deformed for rigid connection to the finishingobject and in which the shank sections may have relative movement totensioned relation on being advanced to fastening position withoutcausing a loosening of the connection or disengagement of the headsections from the finishing object in the mounting thereof onto asupporting surface.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art as a description thereof proceeds withreference to the accompanying drawing and in which like referencecharacters designate like parts throughout the same and in which:

Fig. 1 shows a form of the fastening device in which the head sectionsare deformed to seat in a finishing object such as a molding, trimstrip, or the like.

Fig. 2 shows in side elevation the device represented in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the fastener of Fig. 2 showing theposition of the head sections when seated in a channel shape and securedto a supporting surface.

Fig. 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows in perspective another form of the fastening device, thefree ends of which are de- 1 formed into head sections for connection toa finishing object.

Fig. 6 shows the de ice of Fig. 5 in an installation for mounting amolding or trim strip to a supporting surface.

Fig. 7 shows another form of fastening device in which the head sectionsare deformed for cooperation with a finishing object.

Fig. 8 shows the device of Fig. '7 as applied in an installation formounting a molding to a supporting surface.

Fig. 9 shows in end elevation a fastening device in which the free endsare deformed into head sections designed to engage ribs provided on arelatively wide finishing object.

Fig-10 shows the fastener of Fig. 9 in connection with the ribs on theunderface of a form of molding or trim strip.

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view taken along line |lll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 shows in side elevation another form of fastening device inwhich the head sections are designed for connection to outwardlyextending ribs provided on the underface of a finishing object.

Fig. 13 shows the device of Fig. 12 in engagev ment with outwardlyextending ribs on the underface of a relatively wide molding or trimpanel.

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view taken along line I l-l4 of Fig. 13. v

Fig. 15 is an end elevation of a form of fastening device in which thefree ends .of the legs are designed to engage inwardly extending ,ribsor elongated projections provided on a finishing object. 1

Fig. 16 shows in perspective the fastener of Fig. 15 with the headsections designed for connection with inwardly extending ribs of arelatively wide channel-shape, trim panel, or the like, shown insection.

Fig. 17 is a section view taken along line l|-l| of Fig. 16. 4

In the constructions herein disclosed the fastening means of thecombination comprise shank elements which in normal, untensionedrelation are laterally offset with respect to each other or have theouter longitudinal edges thereof disposed in converging relation towardthe leading end such that,'as the device is advanced in an aperture ofless width or diameter than the overall width of the shank, a gradual,relative, lateral movement of the shank elements is effected to set up atension therein. The head sections are formed from the free ends of thelaterally movable shank elements and are suitably deformed forconnection with a finishing objectto be secured such as a molding, trimstrip, or the like, the usual form of connection being with a rib,fiange or shoulder provided on such object. Thus it may be seen that asa fastening device in an assembly is advanced into a work aperture andthe shank elements subjected to relative, lateral movement to tensionedrelation in fastening position, the connection of the headsections ofthe fastening devices to the finishing object is not in any way alteredand at the same time the shank elements are most effectively engaged indesired fastening positio to rigidly mount the finishing object.

In assemblies of the prior art structures, the shank elements of afastener are usually disposed directly opposite each other and arecompressed directly toward each other on-being applied in an aperture.This naturally causes a movement of the head sections in a direction todisengage from the finishing object such that in many instances afinishing object is loose in its mounting and often entirelydisconnected from the fastening devices.

In the combination shown, the shanks of the securing devices may beconstructed from a strip or blank of metal by bending the 'same backupon itself in a fold disposed at an angle suchthat the shank elementsare laterally yieldable with respect to each other. On bendinga strip tothus dispose the folds at an angle, the leg elements of the respectiveshanks must naturally lie offset.

with respect to each other in normal, untensioned relation. And sincethe degree of the legs is determined by the angle of the fold thedisposition 0f offset relation; this offset relation of the legs may beso designed as to be the most effective in an aperture of predeterminedsize in any desired location. Thus, on being applied to an aperture ofsmaller width or diameter than the distance between the outerlongitudinal edges of the legs in their normal, untensioned, laterallyofiset relation, the legs are caused to move later-' ally from theirnormal, offset relation to a position approaching alignment orapproximate alignment. Such movement of the legs from their normal,untensioned, laterally ofiset reation is designed to set up anextraordinary tension.

sume their initial, normal, untensioned, offset relation such that thefastener may be reinserted in the manner of a push or snap-stud and thefinishing object mounted in the installation from which it was removed.I

In many other instances, however, it is necessary or desirable that theinstallation of a' finishing object be permanent whereupon it isessential that the fastening devices be not readily removed or easilywithdrawn from applied fastening position. In such instances, it isdecidedly advantageous to employ on the legs of the shank some form oflocking means to act in addition to the frictional engagement of thelegs against the aperture side walls. Such locking means may be providedby recesses, shoulders, lugs, or series of teeth disposed on the legs,preferably along the longitudinal edges thereof such as to contact andengage the aperture side walls and adjacent underface of a support tolock in positionunder tension of the laterally yieldable shank elements.

Thus in mounting a finishing object such as a molding or trim strip, theshank elements of a fastening device are subjected to relative, lateralmovement to tensioned relation in fastening posi@ tion in the apertureof a support. This relative, lateral movement of the shank elementsnaturally effects a relative movement of the head sections providedthereon and in engagement with a finishing object but does not in anyway. alter or loosen the connection of the fastening device to suchfinishing object.

In the drawing various uses and methods of application of the shankstructures in combination with finishing objects such as moldings,

trim strips and the like are disclosed. In every form it is to benotedthat the fastening of a securing device is accomplished through theaction of the relatively yieldable leg members and tooth'elementsthereon conta'cting'and engaging the side walls of the aperture andadjacent area of the support. However, it is to be understood that it isfully intended as within the scope of this invention that the free endsof the legs of any of the shank structures shown or described may bebent, distorted or suitably deformed to provide any of the headstructures for-connection to a finishing object as herein disclosed andfor the purposes set forth. Likewise, it is intended as within the scopeof this invention that any of the head structures shown for connecting afastening device to a finishing object may also be used and adapted foruse as desired or expedient, on any form of shank structure hereindisclosed, described, or similar thereto.

As shown in Figs. 1-4 inclusive, the free ends of the shank legs II, I2may be bent in opposite directions and suitably deformed to provide headsections IS, IT, conforming substantially to the contour of achannel-shape C, such as a molding, trim strip, or other finishingobject. In use, the fastening devices may be assembled, by any suitablealigning means, in exact position in a channel shape whereupon theassembly as a unit may be applied to desired location on apre-perforated supporting surface. The head sections I6, II, of thefastening devices are so designed as to snugly seat within thechannelshape and have portions thereof contacting the inner face of theroof and base flanges whereby the shank leg members II, I2 are readilydriven home to locked fastening position in a support S, as shown inFig. 3. This may be accomplished by a simple, expedient axial push orhammer blow on the outer face of said channel-shape, it being preferableto employ a rubber hammer to avoid possible injury to the finish of theobject supported. V

on being applied to desired position on the supporting structure, S, theshank elements I I, I2, extending in converging relation toward theentering end I3, Fig. 2, are subjected to a gradual, relative, lateralmovement from their normal, laterally offset, untensioned relation totensioned relation in fastening position as shown in Fig. 4. Therelative, lateral movement of the shank legs does not in any way effectthe efficiency of the connection of the head sections I6, II with themolding, this being accomplished by reason of the fact that the relativemovement of the shank elements is almost entirely in a lateral directionand is not such as to compress the same toward each other to loosen thehead sections I6, II from their normal, effective engagement with thechannel-shape, as shown in Fig. 3. Such amovement of the leg elements ofthe shank away from their normal, untensioned, laterally offset relationsets up an extraordinary tension in the legs, which tension is exertedagainst the adjacent walls of the aperture. In order to obtain a morepositive engagement of the shank elements in fastening position in theapertures of the support, lug, shoulder, or abutment means such asseries of teeth I4, I5, may be provided on the outer longitudinal edgesof the laterally offset leg members, such teeth being adapted to diginto the side walls and adjacent surrounding area of the aperture torigidly retain the fastening devices in position whereby a highlyefficient, rigid mounting for a finishing object is obtained.

Figs, 5 and 6 show a combination comprising an alternate construction inwhich cam surfaces are provided on the shank legs of the fastenindevices such that they are adapted for use in various thicknesses ofsupports. As shown in Fig. 5, in this form of the device, shank elements2I, 22 are integral in the leading end, 23, of the device and arelaterally offset with respect to each other in normal, untensionedrelation. Along the longitudinal edges of the shank elements camsurfaces 24, are provided presenting cam shoulders 28, 29 which areadapted to seat in apertured supports of 'any thickness,

within limits. As shown in Fig. 6, head sections 28, 21 are deformed forsnug engagement with the channel-shape C' and are frictionally retainedtherein through contact with the underface of the roof and the baseflanges of the channel-shape. In mounting a finishing object suchaschannel-shape C', each of the fastening devices is applied to fasteningposition by inserting the leading'end 23 in an aperture in the support.As the finishing object is advanced to its home position, the leadingedges of the cam surfaces 24, 25 serve as guide means causing arelative, gradual,-lateral contraction of the shank elements totensioned relation in fastening position, but without in any way causinga loosening or disengagement of the head sections 26, 21 with thechannel-shape. On being seated the cam shoulders 23, 20 are thus inposition to engage the lower corner of the aperture at any suitablepoint depending on the thickness of the support.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a combination including a form of the device which isespecially adapted for mounting finishing objects to supports,ofpredetermined thickness. The fastening devices each comprise laterallyoffset shank elements 3I, 32 integrally united in the leading end as at33 and provided with sharp, pronounced shoulders 34, designed to engagethe underface of the support in the area. surrounding the aperture asshown in Fig. 8. This form of the device, by reason of the pronouncedshoulders 34, 35, provides such a rigid, positive mounting that thefinishing object held thereby cannot be removed without destroying thefastening means.

Figs. 9-11 inclusive show a combination in which the free ends of theshank elements may be bent, distorted, or deformed to receive outwardlyextending ribs C3, C4 or the like, provided on a relatively wide,grooved finishing object C2, such as a molding or trim strip. This trimstrip C2 shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is economically manufactured and alsohas a wide, varied use because of its unique appearance on a supportingsurface, and also, in that coloring, colored plastics, and the like, maybe applied in -the groove for unusual effects. The fastening devices forsecuring such type of finishing objects may comprise shank membersconsisting of laterally offset leg elements 4|, 42 integral in theleading end as at 43, and the free ends of which are bent intocomplementary head sections 46, 41 provided with flanges 48, 49, adaptedto engage and seat between them the outwardly extending ribs C3, C4 ofthe trim strip C2 as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Along the longitudinaledges of the shank elements 4I, 42, lug, shoulder, or abutment meanssuch as series of teeth 44, may be provided whereby the devices functionto secure a. finishing object much in the manner of the combinationdescribed in connection with Figs. 1-4 inclusive.

Figs. 12-14 inclusive disclose an alternate construction in which thefree ends of the shank legs 54, 55, are bent into flanged head sections55, 51. Adjacent said head sections are provided recesses 53, 59 adaptedto receive the outwardly extending ribs C3, C4 of the trim strip, Fig.13. In employing this form of fastening means for the trim strip, theflanged head sections 56, 51 are designed to seat between the upper faceof the ribs C3, C4 and the lower adjacent underfaces of the roof of thetrim strip, being locked in such position by the shoulders of therecesses 58, 53 snugly engaging the ribs and under tension of the legsattempting to assume their normal, of!- set relation. Along thelongitudinal edges of the shank elements, lug, shoulder or abutmentmeans such as teeth 54. 55, may be provided for effecting a rigid,positive engagement of the fastening devices in applied position of thefinishing object.

be' provided with lug, shoulder or abutmentmeans such as series of teeth6!, 65 to provide a rigid engagement of the fastening devices in theapertured support. On applying an assembly of a finishing object andfastening devices to an apertured supporting surface, the shank elementsof each fastening device are subjected to a gradual, relative, lateralmovement from their normal, untensioned, laterally offset relation totensioned relation in fastening position as shown in Fig. 16'. Since thehead sections 66 and 61 are snugly mounted in between ribs C6, C1, thelateral movement of the legs is such as not to dis,- turb the connectionof the head sections with the finishing object whereby a most effectivemounting is obtained which is not subject to loosening from vibration,jarring, strain and the like.

From the foregoing it may be readily appreciated that the structuresdisclosed are advantageous in that they provide a most eflicient, rigidmounting for a finishing object on a support and facilitate theassembling of parts in mass production since the fastening devices arereadily seated in applied position by a simple axial thrust on the outerface of a finishing object, and without the use of separate tools, timeconsuming assembling operations, or the necessity of conventional nutand bolt fastening devices It will be readily seen that the fasteningdevices are simple, inexpensive and capable of effectively clamping arelatively long finishing object to a supporting structure and undertension to eliminate any possibility of looseness or rattling incidentto strain, jarring or vibration of the supporting structure.

It will also be understood that the fastening devices are designed tofunction in the manner' of snap-studs and when in fastening arepossessed of such a degree of stiffness and rigidity that a finishingobject mounted thereby may not be removed without destroying, mutilatingor otherwise injuring the finishing object or fastening devices or both.I

While the invention has been described in detail with specific examplessuch examples are illustrative only, since other modifications withinthe spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Hence the invention is to be understood as limited only asindicated in the appended claim in which the intent is to set forth allthe novelty over the prior art.

What is claimed is:

A fastener for securing to an apertured support a substantiallychannel-shaped finishing object having spaced attaching ribs or the likeon the underface thereof, said fastener comprising a strip of sheetmetal having a bend intermediate its ends providing a shank comprising apair of cooperating leg members integrally united to form a leading endfor the fastener, head sections formed from the free end portions ofsaid leg members, said head sections projecting out of the planes ofsaid leg members and comprising substantially flat bearing surfaces bentto a shape corresponding substantially to the'contour of the roof of thefinishing object with the extremities thereof extending outwardly fromeach other,

said head sections of the fastener being adapted to be attached to saidfinishing object with said bearing surfaces adapted to engage the roofofthe finishing object and with the extremities thereof adapted forpositive connection with the spaced attaching ribs of the finishingobject, said leg members of the fastener being disposed laterally at anangle to each other such that the longitudinal edges thereof are offsetfrom each other, said leg members undergoing relative, lateral yieldingmovement on being applied to fastening position in an aperture in thesupport, whereby said positive connection of the head sections of thefastener with the roof and attaching ribs of said finishing objectremains undisturbed in the relative lateral movement of the leg membersof the fastener to applied fastening position securing the finishingobject to the support.

HERMAN G. LOMBARD.

